Standings

The graphics next to each team are called “sparklines.” They depict each team’s performance over the last month. Each “up” bar is a victory and a “down” bar is a loss. There are horizontal lines for home games and red bars represent games decided by two runs or less. “PWins” is short for Projected Wins, based on each team’s Run Differential, and is often a better measure of a team’s true strength. Other team graphs and stats can be found on our Team Page.

Game of the Day

Mike Lamb and Willy Taveras hit back-to-back home runs in the ninth inning to lead the Astros past the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-7 in Arizona. The Diamondbacks, losing a chance to move into a tie for first place, left 15 men on base and gave up 10 walks.

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Chase Utley’s 35-game hitting streak came to an end in Friday’s win at N.Y. Mets, as he was 0-for-5 with a pair of strikeouts to drop his average back down to .327. “I got pats on the back,” Utley said. “I really didn’t want it to go extra innings. It was a good run.”

Barry Bonds hit a solo shot to center in the seventh inning on Friday against the Rockies for his first home run since July 20 against San Diego, a span of 26 at-bats. He was batting in the ninth when he began arguing with plate umpire Ron Kulpa about a called second strike. Kulpa immediately ejected Bonds, who got in the umpire’s face and began yelling. The fans responded by throwing garbage, including beer bottles, onto the field from all directions. Fans also threw things at the umpires as they were escorted off the field after the game.

Craig Monroe’s two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning gave the Detroit Tigers a 7-6 victory over the Cleveland Indians. It’s the 14th time this season that the Indians have lost a game in which their opponent scored the game-winning run it its final at-bat, the most such defeats for any team in the American League.

Javy Lopez was traded from the Orioles to Boston on Friday, a deal that gives the former All-Star another chance to play and provides the Red Sox a replacement for injured catcher Jason Varitek. The Orioles sent Lopez and cash to the Red Sox for a player to be named. Varitek had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Thursday and was expected to immediately begin rehabilitation. The Red Sox have not indicated when their captain might return.

The Red Sox designated C Ken Huckaby for assignment. Doug Mirabelli returns to being the backup and defensive replacement. The Orioles signed free agent catcher Chris Widger to replace Javy Lopez on the roster. Widger began the season with the Chicago White Sox and batted .184 with one home run and seven RBI in 27 games before being released Tuesday.

Published reports indicate that Andruw Jones, who is just days away from gaining trade veto power, was claimed off of waivers by an unnamed team. The Braves have until 1 p.m. ET Saturday to choose whether to take their last chance to trade him to another team without trouble.

Vladimir Guerrero went 2-for-4 in Friday’s game against Texas to extend one of baseball’s most peculiar streaks. He has hit safely in all 44 games he has played against Texas in his career, the longest stretch by any player against one team since 1957 — which is as far as Stats Inc. has been able to research it.

Reds manager Jerry Narron asked his players to show more passion and Eddie Guardado happily obliged. Guardado worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the ninth to preserve Cincinnati’s 5-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Friday night, snapping a five-game losing streak. Narron held a pregame meeting and asked his players to mix in some emotion, and the usually fiery Guardado was plenty demonstrative in the ninth. Atlanta loaded the bases with no outs before Brian McCann flied out to short left field and Jeff Francoeur grounded into a game-ending double play. Guardado stomped off the mound and pumped his fist after getting his seventh save in seven opportunities since being traded from Seattle on July 6.

The Detroit Tigers announced the signing of first-round pick Andrew Miller on Friday. The former University of North Carolina pitcher was signed to a four-year deal.

New York starter Randy Johnson, coming off a horrid performance against Tampa Bay in which he yielded nine runs in 3 1/3 innings, gave up four runs and nine hits in six innings on Friday against the Orioles. He did not have a strikeout or a walk. “I don’t want to be the wheel that’s falling off the wagon here. That’s where I am at right now,” Johnson said. “I want to feel like I am contributing.”

Mariano Rivera worked the ninth for his 27th save on Friday at Baltimore. By finishing his 114th game over two seasons, Rivera guarantees his $10.5 million option for 2007.

Francisco Cordero got the last three outs for his third save in as many chances with Milwaukee, which has won four of six.

Chris Carpenter failed to prevent the St. Louis Cardinals’ losing streak from reaching eight games, matching a slump they endured in June. The 2005 NL Cy Young winner left Friday night’s game with an injury to the thumb on his pitching hand that put a scare into a team already on the skids. His right thumb was swollen, although X-rays indicated no break, after a 4-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Oakland Athletics placed Bobby Crosby on the 15-day disabled list before Friday’s game at Seattle due to his strained back. “He’s got a bunch of things bothering him, and they’ve all contributed, I’m sure,” A’s manager Ken Macha said. “Not being 100 percent kind of wears on you. Perhaps this will be a big help to him; get him whole and get back in there.”

The Athletics added Jimenez to the 40-man roster and he will come up from Triple-A Sacramento to provide depth in the infield with Bobby Crosby (back) headed to the 15-day disabled list. The Athletics designated Randy Keisler for assignment.

Bartolo Colon’s season is likely finished after a contrast MRI on Friday revealed a partial thickness tear of the rotator cuff. He is expected to begin a rehab program shortly instead of a surgical procedure, but there is no timetable from the club on when he might be able to return to the team.

Dustin McGowan will not start Saturday’s game against the White Sox, as the team has recalled Francisco Rosario from Triple-A Syracuse to go in his place. The struggling McGowan will work out of the bullpen for now. The Blue Jays designated Jason L. Phillips for assignment.

The Baltimore Orioles placed Kris Benson (elbow) on the 15-day disabled list on Friday due to tendinitis in his right elbow.

Justin Verlander will not start Sunday’s series finale against the Indians, as manager Jim Leyland stands by his promise to preserve the youngster’s arm and will go with Wil Ledezma instead.

The Mets placed reserve catcher Ramon Castro on the disabled list Friday because of a strained side muscle. Catcher Mike DiFelice was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk. DiFelice batted .118 in 11 games with the Mets last season. He was hitting .277 in 39 games at Double-A Binghamton before moving up to Norfolk.

The East Valley Tribune reports that Dustin Nippert is expected to be called up from Triple-A Tucson to start Saturday’s game against Houston in place of Brandon Webb (elbow).

The Seattle Mariners activated Soriano (fatigued shoulder) from the 15-day disabled list on Friday and optioned Emiliano Fruto to Triple-A Tacoma to open up a spot on the active roster.

Matt Albers was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday and replaced on the roster by Fernando Nieve, who returns from a stint with the Express.

Felipe Lopez has rebounded nicely from a rough start with the Nationals. After going just 2 for his first 25 upon being traded from Cincinnati to Washington, Lopez is hitting .422 (19-for-45) over his last 12 games.

RHP Ryan Drese underwent season-ending “Tommy John” surgery on his right elbow Tuesday. Drese, on the disabled list since mid-April, had been hoping to return to the mound this season without needing surgery.

RHP Duaner Sanchez, who underwent surgery Tuesday on his separated shoulder, was released from the hospital and placed on the 60-day disabled list.

RHP John Smoltz wishes every month were July. The Braves ace has won his last nine July decisions with 33 saves and a 2.00 ERA. He last lost in July on July 30, 1999.

Jeff Kent’s timetable for returning from his left oblique strain remains up in the air. Kent, who went on the DL on July 18, took batting practice, but still feels “discomfort,” he said. “I’m definitely being more cautious,” Kent said.

X-rays of LF Hideki Matsui’s injured left wrist looked good when he visited the doctor but he’s still experiencing some tenderness in the wrist and wasn’t cleared for extra activity, the team said.

Manager Joe Maddon said RHP Seth McClung, who was called up after Wednesday’s game from Triple-A Durham, will pitch in the eighth inning and be eased into the closer’s role.

The Devil Rays’ 2006 first round draft pick, 3B Evan Longoria, was promoted to Double A Montgomery from Class A Visalia Thursday. He hit 12 homers in his first 36 pro games.